Religion, Philosophy and Spirituality   

Together we will practice meditation. We will explore through discussion and exercises what makes it difficult and understand what draws us to want to devote ourselves to this practice. No previous meditation practice is necessary.

Julie Endress is a spiritual teacher in a modern path that pulls from depth psychology and ancient traditions. She has practiced inquiry for 20 years. Her life experience with meditation, loss, divorce, parenting, re-creating herself, career transition and her work as an executive coach bring a real-world perspective to her role as a teacher.

Together, we’ll look at what it means to engage honestly and directly with our own inner truth. Inquiry serves as a powerful practice for self-discovery and is designed to deepen your connection with your authentic self. If you feel stymied by negative self-talk or overly influenced by what others think- this practice helps liberate you. Inquiry is an open-ended, experiential exploration of your present-moment experience. We will reference Diamond Heart Book One by A.H. Almaas.

Julie Endress is a spiritual teacher in a modern path that pulls from depth psychology and ancient traditions. She has practiced inquiry for 20 years. Her life experience with meditation, loss, divorce, parenting, re-creating herself, career transition and her work as an executive coach bring a real-world perspective to her role as a teacher.

This book study examines Dana Sawyer’s, The Perennial Philosophy Reloaded: A Guide for the Mystically Inclined (2024), a modern reappraisal of the Perennial Philosophy tradition. Sawyer connects classic thinkers like Aldous Huxley and Alan Watts with contemporary spiritual teachers, exploring themes of consciousness, mysticism, and personal transformation. The book offers an accessible guide to perennialism ideas and their renewed relevance in today’s culture, including psychedelic research and modern spirituality.

Barb Cherem, Ph.D. spent five decades teaching in P-12 and higher education. A passionate history enthusiast, she has facilitated many OLLI book studies and other topics of interest to older adults.

In Social Intelligence, Daniel Goleman argues that our happiness and success in families, friendships, and peaceful living depend on our ability to attune to others—reading emotions, showing empathy, and managing interactions skillfully. These capacities rooted in social intelligence, shape trust, connection and cooperation, ultimately determining the quality of our relationships and collective well-being. How important is this for us as we get older?

Mike Murray is a Clinical Psychologist. He’s been teaching courses, for OLLI, for 19 years.

This study group will treat several topics relevant to the translation of the Bible. First, we’ll outline the history of Bible translation from the original Hebrew and Greek up to the King James Bible (1611). We will discuss selected socio-political and linguistic issues involved in Bible translation and examine some specific cases of controversial translations. Finally watch a presentation of recent attempts to produce in English a gender-neutral and inclusive rendering of the Bible considered to be divinely inspired.

Steven Dworkin is a retired UM Professor of Romance Linguistics and Linguistics. His teaching repertoire included a course on Language and Religion.

When was the last time you really listened to someone, or someone really listened to you? If you’re like most people, you don’t listen as often or as well as you’d like. Despite living in a world where technology allows constant digital communication and opportunities to connect, it seems no one is really listening or even knows how. And it’s making us lonelier, more isolated, and less tolerant than ever before. A listener by trade, New York Times contributor Kate Murphy wanted to know how we got here. A talented journalist, she introduces us to the right mindset and skillset, and this book, YOU’RE NOT LISTENING, does it with science and humor.

Mike Murray is a Clinical Psychologist. He’s been teaching courses, for OLLI, for 19 years.